Joe Allen keen for Lucas' return to Liverpool team

You’re always going to miss quality players like Lucas and it’s great to have him back in the side

Joe Allen

The 25-year-old Brazilian made his return from three months out with a thigh injury in Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Southampton on Saturday.

The first back-to-back home wins in 14 months for Brendan Rodgers’ side means they are now just seven points off third-placed Chelsea.

Allen believes the holding midfielder’s return will help the Reds reduce that deficit further, in a month which includes games against West Ham, Aston Villa, Fulham, Stoke and QPR.

“You’re always going to miss quality players like Lucas and it’s great to have him back in the side,” said the midfielder.

“His return, with the steel and quality he brings, is going to help the team. It’s a very important role. The top teams all utilise that position and have a quality player there and it is for a reason. It is vital for the way we want to play.

“With him back playing, I am sure we’ll get the benefits of that in terms of points and our position in the table.

“We’ve closed the gap a bit and for a club like Liverpool, that has to be our target. We’ve got a run of games now where we want to pick up points and further reduce that deficit.”

Unlucky Lucas admits he struggled to cope with his latest injury, so soon after he returned from cruciate knee damage.

He said: “It’s a process where I will get better with games. This has been a really hard year for me.

“I had some bad days and some bad times when I really didn’t know what was going to happen.”